MIGRATION, DISILLUSIONMENT AND DIASPORIC EXPERIENCES IN CHIKA UNIGWE’S PHOENIX

Abstract

The study entitled “Migration, Disillusionment and Diasporic Experiences in Chika Unigwe’s Phoenix examines the idea of migration, the trials, ordeals, and vicissitudes that African migrants go through while abroad. It explores the factors that force migrants to scatter across foreign countries, including civil strife and forced displacement, insurgency, religious heterodoxy, political persecution, economic and educational reasons, exile, and asylum, among others. From the analysis, it is revealed that all the characters became disoriented and traumatized as a result of their trials and ordeals, coupled with failed dreams. It also reveals that the trials and ordeals of migrants leave them emotionally traumatized, psychologically disoriented, and psychically dehumanized. As a talented writer, Chika Unigwe shifts attention to the experiences of Nigerians in the diaspora. The novel portrays the realities of life rather than fantasy. The writer succeeds in presenting realistic accounts of what happens to Nigerians when they migrate to foreign nations. The responsibility now lies with readers and critics to read, appreciate, comprehend, comment on, and analyze the text using different and engaging critical approaches available to them.